1% for the Village: Why We’re Investing in Oakland’s Future
At Banana Yoga, we often talk about the "practice." We practice poses, we practice breath, and we practice mindfulness. But yoga doesn't end when you roll up your mat. The true practice begins when you walk out the door and into the vibrant, complex, and sometimes struggling streets of the East Bay.
Recently, Banana Yoga made a commitment: to make our community 1% better. By pledging 1% of our total revenue to local nonprofits, we are turning our collective "Om" into action. This month, we are honored to share that we’ve donated $1,500 to Emerson Elementary in Oakland and $716 to the Social Justice Collaborative in Berkeley.
The Dharma of Giving
In the Bhagavad Gita, the warrior Arjuna is reminded of his Dharma—his duty—to protect the vulnerable and uphold what is right. As a studio, we believe our duty is no different. We are also guided by the concept of Dana (generosity).
In yogic philosophy, giving without expectation is one of the highest forms of good karma. Every time we give with an abundant heart, we liberate ourselves from our attachment to money and reconnect to the truth that we are all part of one fabric.
Supporting Our Schools: A Personal Root
Education is the heartbeat of any community, but it’s a heartbeat that is currently under immense pressure. My step-mom has been an educator for over 30 years. Over the last six years, I’ve seen the weight our teachers carry. They aren't just teaching; they are picking up the slack of a world that is moving too fast and asking for too much.
Emerson Elementary serves a beautifully diverse student population, yet 77% of these students come from low-income households. In an era of budget cuts and inflation, $1,500 isn’t going to fix the systemic issues in our educational system. But it does mean new books. It means playground equipment. It means a child looks at something brand new and realizes, "Someone out there cares about my success."
Standing with our Immigrant Neighbors
While we look toward the future of our children, we must also protect the families that make Oakland whole. Our immigrant community is part of our "rich cultural fabric," yet they are under unprecedented threat. Since January 2025, over 5,000 people in the Bay Area have been illegally detained or deported.
This is why we support the Social Justice Collaborative. They provide culturally proficient legal aid to families facing immediate deportation. When a family is torn apart, the whole community loses a piece of its soul. Supporting SJC is our way of saying: You belong here.
Team at the Social Justice Collaborative in Berkeley
The Power of 1%
It is easy to look at the world and feel paralyzed by the scale of the problems. But we are inspired by the words of an unknown monk:
“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town, and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”
We don’t need to "fix" the world overnight. We just need to sprinkle a little TLC into Oakland. Whether it’s picking up trash, making a meal for a sick neighbor, or committing 1% of your income to a cause you love—these small habits create a ripple effect.
Thank you for being part of the Banana Yoga community. Every time you show up for a class, you are helping us show up for Oakland. Together, we are getting 1% better every day.